tuxet JRE Author} — 8 Hope Furnace Road + Hope, RI 02831 (401) 615-7039 + pra@pawtuxet.org mewurpawtuxet.org Kenneth Borden, Chairman Town of Scituate Zoning Board of Review Scituate Town Hall 195 Danielson Pike North Scituate, RI 02857 Re: Hope Mill Project Dear Mr. Borden: An application submitted by the Paramount Development Group seeking a Special Use Permit and dimensional variances is currently before your board for its review. As we understand it, your board is allowing public comment on this matter. Therefore, please let this letter serve as official comment of the Pawtuxet River Authority. The Pawtuxet River Authority is a quasi-public benefit corporation created by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1972 (RIGL 46-24) and has been designated as the official watershed council of the Pawtuxet River by the Rhode Island Rivers Council. The Authority is authorized to improve, preserve and protect the Pawtuxet River. The Authority provides recreational facilities along the river and is expressly authorized to provide for land and water conservation, construct and maintain hiking and biking trails, flood control and water pollution control facilities, preserve wetlands, construct dams, stream diversion, dikes, walls and pumping stations The Authority encourages projects that further the Authority's mission to preserve and enhance the ecological health of the Pawtuxet River and provide @ public benefit, such as, increased Public access to and recreational activities on the Pawtuxet River. The Authority is familiar with the Hope Mill Project and the concerns raised by the public regarding the Project. The Authority does not take a position regarding the Project's zoning and Planning Commission issues, which are currently under review by the Town of Scituate. The Authority believes that zoning and Planning Commission issues must be properly vetted and decided by the appropriate Town departments and state and federal decision-makers.The Authority believes that if properly vetted and approved, the Hope Mill Project has the Potential to further our mission and address the public and Town's concerns. The potential benefits of a property vetted and approved Hope Mill Project, include, but are not limited to: 1. Restoration and maintenance of the Hope Mill Dam and its race works to the mill. This would improve water quality, reduce downstream flooding risks, maintain a 3-mile stretch of the State's highest quality fishing environment and preserve the Town's only legal fishing/boat launch. 2. Increase public access to the River in and around the Dam, 3. Remediation of the contaminants on the Hope Mill grounds to prevent any further impacts to the Pawtuxet River 4. Implementation of new storm water controls at the site which are currently non-existent. The Authority recognizes the public debate surrounding the Hope Mil Project, but trusts that a rationale and reasonable solution can be reached, which in tun, would further the Authority's Public benefit mission. Cordial Robert Nero, Chairman, Pawtuxet River Authority